Director of Public Utilities

Scope of Role

Join us in our mission to provide our citizens with a vibrant quality of life based on sound management, transparency, and good stewardship of resources. Our growing community in the beautiful Uwharrie region of Central NC is seeking an executive to provide leadership, strategic oversight, and operational management for the City’s electric, water, and wastewater utilities as well as our customer service operations.

This position ensures the safe, reliable, and financially sustainable delivery of essential public services while upholding regulatory compliance and industry best practices. The Director is responsible for personnel leadership, financial stewardship, capital infrastructure planning, and customer service excellence, while serving as a key advisor to the City Manager and City Council on all utility-related matters.

Essential Duties

• Plans, organizes and directs the work of subordinate division heads and employees engaged in plant operations, process control, laboratory analysis, customer service, billing, electric distribution, and preventive maintenance and repair.
• Advises management and participates in planning for current and future capacity needs and plant and systems modifications for increased efficiency or regulatory compliance.
• Plans and manages capital facilities construction, upgrade and maintenance; works with engineers, contractors, regulators, granting agencies and others to maintain necessary capacity, efficiency and regulatory compliance for managed utilities.
• Manages the hiring, promotion, training, discipline, evaluation, and other personnel actions and decisions for the department; plans and implements safety programs including training, procedures, and equipment as necessary; provides coaching for division heads on efficient and effective staff management to create high performance work units.
• Advises City Manager and Council on best practices in areas such as sewer use ordinance, sludge management, water consumer confidence, utility rates and fees, use of technology, customer service excellence, etc.
• Establishes, maintains, and analyzes a variety of reports as required and as needed for effective management decision-making; directs the acquisition and usage of computer systems to enhance operations and record keeping.
• Directs the maintenance and repair of water and sewer pumping stations, elevated storage tanks, and related facilities;
• Oversees sampling and preparation of the annual water Consumer Confidence Report.
• Requests department resources as part of annual budget process; reviews and submits budget requests of division heads; controls allocated resources once approved.
• Participates in marketing the City's utilities and in rate analysis and recommendations.
• Develops and administers grants.
• Participates as part of the City’s leadership team in establishing and communicating organizational vision and values and working across departmental lines for the good of the City.

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, public administration, civil engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field.
• Extensive experience in managing public utilities, including electric distribution, water treatment, wastewater management, and customer service operations.
• Master’s degree or Professional Engineer (PE) certification preferred.

• Principles and practices of water and wastewater treatment, electric distribution systems, pumping stations, metering, utility billing and customer services and other utility systems management
• Local, state, and federal laws and regulations relating to management of electric, water and wastewater systems
• Effective management practices including leadership, hiring, motivation, communications, delegation, discipline, and performance review
• Knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and electronic trades as applied to electric, water and wastewater systems
• City budget, purchasing, and personnel policies and practices
• Principles and practices of civil engineering and the City’s engineering standards for the water and sewer utility
• Public speaking, customer contact and collaborative conflict resolution
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with City official, industrial officials, regulatory officials, contractors, other employees, and the general public
• Prepare, present and interpret complex records and reports
• Effective Communication/Customer Service Skills
• Sound judgement

Physical Requirements

• Ability to conduct field inspections of utility infrastructure, including treatment plants, pumping stations, and electric distribution sites.
• Capability to respond to emergency situations outside of normal business hours.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds occasionally, as required for site visits or inspections.